WE conclude our spotlight series on the organisations which will benefit from this year’s Christmas Appeal, by taking a closer look at the work of our final beneficiary, the Wayside Club.

The Wayside Club has been operating for more than 80 years and has had a variety of premises throughout Glasgow over the years. Today, it is based in Midland Street in the city centre, where it opens its doors every evening and caters for up to 100 people each night. It offers those living on the streets a hot meal, as well as providing access to shower facilities and the opportunity to have a haircut.

The Wayside Club is open 365 days-a-year and, on Christmas day, it often caters for up to 150 homeless men and women, who will enjoy a Christmas dinner, festive activities and be treated to a Christmas gift.

Tom Boyd Senior, father of the Celtic legend, has been a regular volunteer at The Wayside Club for almost a decade. And he was quick to highlight the impact of the donation received through Celtic FC Foundation’s Christmas Appeal donation.

Tom said: “Firstly, on behalf  of The Wayside Club I would like to thank you for choosing us as one of your beneficiaries for this year’s Celtic FC Foundation Christmas Appeal.

“As in previous years, your donation assists in providing food, clothing and other necessary provisions for the homeless of Glasgow. This is something which really encompasses Celtic’s core values. The Centre only exists thanks to donations and the work of the unpaid volunteers, who give of their time to help those in need.

“Christmas is an extremely busy time of year at the Wayside Club. While many other services are closed on Christmas Day, our doors are open every day of the year, so we often find that our numbers can be as many as 150 on Christmas Day.

“The support from Celtic FC Foundation helps us to make Christmas that little bit more comfortable for those who come through our doors. We are able to provide food, clothing and sleeping bags and it even allows us to be able to provide the guests with a gift for Christmas. Thanks to your backing, we can give the individuals that we support a happier Christmas. Thank you.”

Through this year’s Christmas Appeal, we have supported a host of organisations who need our help. The Wayside Club joins Scottish Refugee Council, The Invisibles, St Roch’s FC Foundation, Glasgow City Mission, Spirit Aid, Salvation Army Parkhead, Refuweegee, Simon Community Scotland, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Loaves and Fishes, Glasgow East Women’s Aid, Elpis Centre, Glasgow Night Shelter, plus three London-based organisations – St Anne’s Primary School, St Anne’s Church and the Cardinal Hume Centre – two in Ireland – Women’s Aid Dublin and Women’s Aid Belfast and Lisburn – and the Ottawa Mission in Canada.

Through the Appeal, we want to help hundreds of local families facing poverty, giving them the kind of Christmas most of us take for granted, with lots of food on the table and gifts for the kids, and making sure Santa pays a visit on Christmas Eve.

We also want to support pensioners on our doorstep, by lending a hand at a difficult time of year. Local charities need our help too. We can make a massive difference to the lives of children, the homeless, those living in refuge, refugees and those facing other challenges.

Your generosity has been overwhelming so far but there’s still time to get involved. You can get behind the Christmas Appeal in the following ways:

1. Donate by Text – text ‘CELT07’ followed by ‘£1’, ‘£5’ or ‘£10’ to 70070

2. Donate Online HERE

3. Donate via Paypal HERE

4. Donate in Cash – there are collection boxes located in all Celtic Stores

5. Donate by Cheque – payable to ‘Celtic FC Foundation’ and sent to Celtic FC Foundation, Celtic Park, Glasgow, G40 3RE.

6. Give As You Live via your Christmas Shopping HERE

7. Download Toy Tin Soldier’s charity single ‘A Club Where All Belong’ HERE

Thank you for helping us to Make Dreams Come True this Christmas.